In a first-of-its-kind report recently published by the University of Minnesota, researchers have turned their attention to the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) jumping from deer to other species,

Mecosta County last underwent intensive CWD surveillance from 2017 to 2019 when no positives were found among over 5,600 deer tested. According to the DNR, 167 deer have tested positive in Montcalm County, which shares a border with Millbrook Township.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose. To date, the disease has also been detected in the following Michigan counties: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Midland, Montcalm and Ogemaw.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose. The chronic disease develops and spreads slowly.

The DNR and the Manitowoc County Deer Advisory Council have called a public meeting to share more information about CWD in the state and testing efforts in Manitowoc County. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at Woodland Dunes Nature Center, 3000 Hawthorne Ave., in Two Rivers.

A buck harvested in Mecosta County has been identified with chronic wasting disease, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said in a news release, the first positive case found in the county as the always-fatal disease continues to spread.

A deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease in Mecosta County, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The Iowa DNR continues to see increased numbers for two deer killing diseases and are now trying to find best practices to contain spread ahead the 2025 hunting season.